Folk Music and Negro Spirituals have been a vital part of history in the African-American community. These music genres often involve Christianity while describing the many hardships associated with slavery. Often times, slaves were forbidden from speaking their native languages and were converted to Christianity. Slaves would use their knowledge of the bible as well as their small vocabularies into songs that became known as spirituals. Many folk songs and Negro Spirituals include themes of freedom and the belief in a higher power.
Some of the instruments associated with folk music and Negro Spirituals include drums, banjos, and fiddles. Specific to folk music and Negro Spirituals is the use of body percussion. This is the concept of using your hands and feet to create music.
Folk and Negro Spiritual Songs
- “Wade in the Water”
- “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
- “Follow The Drinking Gourd”
- “Down by The Riverside”
- “Deep River”
- “Go Down Moses”
- “Golden Slippers”
- “The Gospel Train”
- “Listen to the Lambs”
- “If You See My Saviour”
- “Oh, My Lord”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUF7QGJZwA
